Officials say a Vermont organization that disposes of thousands of used needles each year in exchange for clean ones to facilitate treatment and care annually dispenses about 76,000 syringes to area drug addicts.

The Vermont CARES office in St. Johnsbury serves the Northeast Kingdom's southern and central sections. The Caledonian Record reports it had 243 clients as of last month.

New clients who turn in dirty needles receive a starter kit of up to 100 needles.

Selectman Jeff Moore said he's concerned about used syringes discovered at Legion and Leonard fields and plans to ask for surveillance cameras at the facilities if more needles are discovered there.